When we visit Branson, MO, I like to ride MO 125 South into AR, taking the Peel Ferry across Bull Shoals Lake and AR 125 on down to AR 259 West to AR 268 West and then AR 14 West until I get to US 65. From there I can easily go North to Branson or back up to Sparta. Sparta, MO to Peel Ferry, AR is about 54 miles/1hour 38minutes. Peel Ferry, AR to Ridgedale, MO is about 40 miles/51 minutes. Going North from Ridgedale, MO along US 65 is rather boring, but Branson, MO is only about 13 miles/16 minutes from Ridgedale and Sparta is about an additional 34 miles/36 minutes. AR 125 and MO 125 both pretty much follow the ridhelines with lots of enjoyable curves and hills. Sparta, MO is 19 miles/19 minutes South of the US 65/I-44 interchange and 8 miles/12 minutes East of US 65.